Automatic door locking mechanism with delayed alarm means for dispensing machines



Sept. 20, 1955 s. WAIT 2,718,630

AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM WITH DELAYED ALARM MEANS FOR DISPENSING MACHINES Filed Aug. 18, 1954 POWER m r SIGNAL IN INVENTOR.

LOUIS s. WAIT was M m ATTORNEYS AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM WITH DELAYED ALARM MEANS FOR DISPENSING MACHINES 5 Louis S. Wait, Beverly Hills, Calif., assiguor of twentytwo and one-half per cent to Norman Bauch, fifteen per cent to David Robertson, nine and one-half per cent to Vincent Evans, nine and one-half per cent to Marorie McDonald, one per cent to Oscar A. Tannenbaum, five per cent toG. W. Shelley, five per cent to Robert E. Shelley, and ten per cent to D. A. Rose, all of Los Angeles County, Calif.

Application August 18, 1954, Serial No. 450,637

7 Claims. (Cl. 340-222) This invention relates to automatic means for unlocking a door in a vending machine to enable a customer to remove the vended article, and for automatically locking the door after the article has been removed to secure the machine against unauthorized tampering. The invention has particular application to bulk dairy product dispensing machines in which the sanitation requirements are relatively strict as compared to conventional soft drink dispensers.

It is important that the operation of all types of vending machines available to the public be as simple as possible and yet substantially foolproof. It is well known that such machines are a constant target of vandals, and unless certain elementary precautions are taken, the machines may be easily contaminated or rendered inoperative. One of the most vulnerable points of attack on such machines is the dispensing mouth or recessed chamber from which the article or drink is removed. Stufiing of these chambers with foreign objects not only contaminates the area, but will prevent the subsequent article from being properly dispensed.

One solution to this problem is to provide a door for covering the recessed area from which the vended article is removed. Such a door must normally be in closed locked position in order to protect the area from contamination and unauthorized tampering. On the other hand, the door must be simple to open and close to enable the dispensed article to be removed when the machine is properly operated by a customer. Further, should the operator not remove the dispensed article, or should he attempt to keep the door open as by some artificial means after the article has been removed, a suitable alarm system or other signal should be provided to inform anattendant of the fact so that the situation can be immediately remedied.

Bearing the above in mind, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an automatic door unlocking and locking mechanism'for vending machines which will overcome the above problems.

More particularly, an object of the invention is to provide a door mechanism of the above type for bulk dairy product dispensing machines which will satisfy all the requirements of local health departments.

Another important object of the invention is to provide an automatic door unlocking and, locking .mechanism which is initially actuated in response to the operation of the machine and subsequently wholly controlled by the opening of the door, removal of the vended article,'and the closing of the door, whereby the provision of external manually operable switches and buttons is entirely unnecessary, and the presence of projections or recessed-areas on the front face of the machine in substantially eliminated.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention are attained by providing an actuating means for moving a latch member to lock and unlock the door. A

control means cooperating with said actuating means includes a first switch means mechanically operated in response to opening and closing of the door. The operation of this first switch means is accomplished by apparatus preferably concealed within the door and door frame so that tampering of the switch is not possible even when the door is open. The control means also includes a second switch means arranged to be mechanically operated in response to removal of the vended article. The actuating means is initially energized in response to opera tion of the machine by a customer. Upon removal'of the vended article, the second switch means is thrown to a given position, and upon closing of the door, the first switch means is thrown to a given position. When both switch means are in the referred to given positions in response to the above operations, the actuating means is energized to close the latch means and lock the door.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention,

first and second alarm circuits are connected in circuit tomer does not open the door to remove the vended'artij cle within such period. Opening of the door and removal of the vended article operates the first and second switch means respectively which serve to de-energize the first alarm circuit. Simultaneously, operation of the second switch means will energize delay means in the second alarm circuit. This second alarm circuit will operate after a given period of time if the customer does not close the door within this period. When the door is closed, the first switch means is operated to de-energize the second alarm circuit. These various alarm circuits serve to warn an attendant that the machine is not being properly operated.

A better understanding of the invention will be had by referring to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a door on the front face of a vending machine incorporating the present in-' in the cabinet is a receiving chamber adapted to be closed by a door 11. In closed position, the door 11 preferably fits within door frame 12 so that a substantially flush surface is presented. As shown in Fig. 1, a cup 13 on a cup support 14 is positioned in the receiving chamber for'easy removal by a customer when the door is opened. 1

In accordance with the invention, door 11 is normally locked when in closed position by means of a simple latch member 15 adapted to fit within a receiving bracket 16 secured to the upper inside edge of the door. The latch is temporarily held up in the position shown in solid lines during the period the door is opened, and is automatically lowered to the phantom line position shown in Fig. 1, after the cup has been removed and the door closed. For controlling the latch mechanism as well as the dual alarm system previously described, there are provided first and second switch means. The first switch means is operated by concealed apparatus which, in the particular embodiment disclosed, comprises a permanent magnet 17 disposed adjacent the door frame 12, and a cooperating magnet 18 concealed within the front edge of the door as indicated by the dotted lines. 'The arrangement is such that when the door is closed, the magnet 17 adjacent the door frame is attracted to the magnet 18 in the door to throw the first switch means to a given position. When the door is opened, the mag- Pat ented Sept. 20, 1955 net 18"is withdrawn from the field of the magnet 17 and the latter is therefore free to return to its biasedposition. Ordinarily, the magnet 17 will be concealed behind a suitablewall near thedoor frameso that itspresence willjnohbeevident to a customer. Such a wall has been. ornitted'from the drawings in order not to obscure the magnet. With magnet 17 suitably concealed, and magnet 1wholly within the door itself, the apparatus for operating the. first switch. means is. invisible as well;as fully protected ,from vandalism,

The sec ondjswitchmeans isarranged 'tobe mechanically,actuated when the weight of cup 13 is removed frorn the support 14as will becomeclear as the description prc rsds;

s. .99perat ag me ha al and. electrical. components.

of the systern for'operating the latch member and the larm irc re hownsc ema cal n -g The meghanical, systern will first be described.

Mechanical system Referring to thelower right hand portion of Fig. 2, it=wil lbe noted that theattracting magnet 17 is coupled to a first switch means S1'through a coupling rod 19 longitudinally -slidab le ina guide 20. The switch 8-1 is shown in contact with-terminal 21, which is its normal position when the door 11' is closed, the magnet 18- pnlling the-magnet 17 to theright. When the door 11 is open ed" and magnet18 removed from the vicinity of magnet 17; a biasing spring 22 pulls the switch S1 to the left to engage a terminal 23. The arm of switch S '1--is connected through a lead 24 to a normally open terminal 25;.

The cup support 14 forms one end of-a balanced lever 25, piyoted atf2 7 to thestationary frame of-the cabine t; counterbalancing weight W is secured to the other endof the lever 26 as shown. The weight-W is given a value such that it will notoverbalancea filled cup, but-will-overbalance an empty cup or drop-down when the cup is removed. A suitable Cshaped-bracket 28'," s e c ured to the cabinet frame, checks the extent of theup and down movement of the weight W. At a point on the lever 26 to the right of the pivot 27', there is provideda flat engaging surface 29 upon which normallyrests an actuating rod 30 guided for vertical move ment by a suitable guide 31'as shown. The upper end of the rod 30 is connected to a second switch means In its normal position, switch S 2 is in engagemenywith alterminal' '32 and serves to connect the terminalto ground 33. When the filled cup 13 is removed from g the support 14, weight raise theengaging surface 29 and the rod 30. This action throwsthearm of switch S2 to the open terminal 2 leading from the switch arm 8-1 and thereby connects thisterminal to ground-'at 33.

After a filled" cup losed... t. s. n c s y to return the cup support-14 to its. origin l posi'on preparatory to receiving; a subsequentcnp .when the machine is again operated. To'this end, there is provided a lateral projection 34 on rod-30- adaptedto piv e A biasing spring 37 cam 38. As shown,

tothe cabinet frame at its-outer end as at-36. holds bar 35 in engagement with a the cam 38 has-its axiseccentrically;

located so that rotation of this cam 180 degrees from.

the position shown in the drawing will serve to raisethe bar 35; to the phantom'line position and permit therod. 30 to rise vertically upon removal of thecup. Rotation.

of the cam wheel 38'another- 180 degrees, however, will;

bringit back to the position shown in the drawing; The spring 37 will act to maintain the bar 35.against the cam wheelsothat the overlapping end of the bar will push against the projection 34. and move the rod 30 downwardly. Thespring 37 is sufficiently tensioned to overcor1j. "the eff??? of theweight W so thatithe support 14 W drops downwardly to has been removed and the door be engaged by the overlapping end of a barto operate the. latch member lS; This -.member is guided.

o r q li o m n t and utlqfl s penw bracket 16 by a guide 41, the upper end of. the. latch being bent 90 degrees to engage thecam wheel .40. R0

tatioriof the cam 4 0 18 O degrees will thus serve to raise the latch 15 to, the, phantom lineposition, thereby unlocking. the door The operation of the. camwheels 38 and40= is .con trolled by, athirdcam: 42;, mechanically coupled'to the cam. 40; as @indicated schematically by.the dashed :lin.e 43. Cam 42 is positioned to operate aswitch. S- 3.v The arm of switch 8:3 is connected. by a .le a d 44 to amotor M coupled to drive the three cams 38, 40, and 42" simultaneously. The other" side of ;m.o.tor. M is grounded at 45. The cam 42 comprises a wheel having substantially alidegree sector removed .so that its. radius overlhalf its circumference is .less :than .the. radius over the remaining half. Withthis arrangement, thearrn of switch S3-.

ofzrotation. The armof-switch S.3 serves to complete. a power circuit for operating the motor M as will become.

clear as the description proceeds.-

tri ali y em Referringnow to theupper portion of=Fig. 2, theelectrical portion of-the doorlockingmechanism willnow,

be. described As indicated, electrical, power is. supplied.

to. the. system. between as main-power lead 46 and a grounded lead 4.7.- Lead.4.6:c.Xtends downwardly through a series connectedrelay. coil148; to terminate in terminal;

21. of; switch 8-1. A branch powerlead 49 passes to the right from power lead 46; to. contact. 50, of a relay coil 50. Relay coil 50 is arranged to be momentarily.-en-

ergizedby a signal S initiated by.a customer in operating themachine. Asshown, thissignal maybe inthe form ofaapulse passed through the coil 50 to ground at 47;

Glosingof the. contact- 50?: passes. power along. lead- 49.: toenergizea. relay coil-:51 connectedbetween the lead 49 and ground. Contact. 51 for relay coil, 51 connects the lead 49 back to therpower lead 4.6 through a normally,-

closed contact. 48'. associated-with the relay coil 48.

After thecontactSl is.- closed, the. relaycoil 51 will remain energized bypower. passing, from power lead 46; through the. normally closed contact 48,, contact 51 and lead 49. through. the. coil 51. to ground. Relay coil 51- thus acts as a self+locking relay. and will remain energized after contact 50 of relay 50 opensupon termi nation of: the signal-S: Operationof'the relay coil 51 also servesto actuate itsrassociated relay contact arm 51?. This arm.is.-connectedto thepower lead-46 through a conductor 52. When the coil 51-. is. not energized, arm 51" connects to vajumperlead53 from an .open terminal 54' of the switch. S'-3. Inits other energized position,

contact arm .51 willconnect power. from lead 52 to lead- 55 and the other terminal-56,0f switch S-3 This power from power. lead-46 and lead 52 is also passed by lead 55- to a dual alarm-systemshown in the left portion ofthe drawing.

The dual alarm system comprises a first alarm circuit beginning at the left end oflead 55; As shown, this circuit includes aconductor 57 extending upwardly, from lead 55 and including ins eries. a-heating' coil 58; Conductor 57 passes through a normally. closed contact 59 operated by a relay an 5-9; Coil. 59. is-. connectedbetween the base lead 55 and its own contact arm 59' bya switch 58' adaptedto closeimresponse toheat generated by-coil- 58: after a. given period of time. The second;

alarm circuit is similar to the first and includes a conductor 60 extending upwardly from the lead 55 and having in series a heating coil 61. Conductor 60 passes through a normally closed contact 62' operated by a relay coil 62. Coil 62 is connected between the base lead 55 and its own contact arm 62' by a switch 61' adapted to close in response to heat generated by coil 61 after a given period of time, different from the period of time required for switch 58 to operate. The upper end of the relay coil 59 is connected by a lead 63 passing downwardly to terminal 32 of switch means S2. The upper end of relay coil 62, on the other hand, is connected by a lead 64 passing downwardly to terminal 23 of switch means 8-1.

As shown, terminal 23 is also connected through a portion of lead 64 and a branch conductor 65 to conductor 63 and the terminal 32 of the switch means S2. Branch conductor 65 includes in series a Close door light indicator 66 and a Remove cup light indicator 67. A jumper lead 68 connects a point on conductor 65 between indicators 66 and 67, to the base lead 55 of the alarm circuit. The operation of this portion of the circuit will be described shortly.

Referring to the upper portion of the alarm circuit, it will be noted that relay coils 59 and 62 also operate normally open switch arms 59" and 62" respectively. These arms are connected to power through a common power lead 69 extending from the left side of the main power lead 46. Associated with the switch arm 59" is a chime circuit 70 one side of which is grounded at 71 and the other side of which is adapted to be connected to the power lead 69 when the switch 59" is closed. Similarly, a buzzer circuit 72 is associated with the switch 62". One side of this buzzer is grounded at 73 and the other side is adapted to be connected to the power lead 69 when the switch 62" is closed.

Operation The complete operation of the electrical and mechanical portions of the circuit of Fig. 2 will now be described.

Depending upon the type of dispensing machine, a customer will either insert a coin or depress a suitable switch or button to initiate operation of the machine. The machine will progress through various steps including that of dispensing liquid into the cup 13. When this last mentioned step has been completed, a suitable pulse or signal will be sent to the door unlocking and locking mechanism of the present invention. This signal is represented by the pulse S shown applied to relay coil 50 in the upper righthand portion of Fig. 2. Momentary energization of coil 50 will close contact 50 and result in energization of relay coil 51 through the lead 49 from power lead 46. Energization of coil 51 will close its normally open contacts 51 and 51" to the dotted line positions as shown. Closing of contact 51 applies energy to the coil 51 through normally closed contact 48', contact 51 and conductor 49 through the coil 51 to ground. Thus, as explained previously, coil 51 will remain energized even though contact 50' opens upon termination of the incoming pulse.

With contact 51" in the dotted line position as shown in Fig. 2, power will be supplied from main power lead 46 through branch lead 52, contact 51", and lead 55 to terminal 56 of the switch 8-3. This power will pass through the switch arm S3, lead 44, and motor M to ground at 45 and will start the motor. Operation of the motor M rotates the cam wheels 42, 40, and 38 simultaneously. As explained previously, switch arm S3 will remain in one position until the cam 42 has made almost a 180 degree rotation. When cam wheel 42 has completed 180 degrees rotation, the switch arm 8-3 will be moved from terminal 56 to contact the terminal 54. Since, contact 51" is now in the dotted line position, terminal 54 is open and the motor M is de-energized stopping all of the cam wheels in their new positions.

Rotation of the cam wheel 40 degrees will lift the latch member 15 out of the bracket 16 thereby unlocking the door 11. Simultaneously, rotation of the cam wheel 38 will lift the bar 35 to the phantom line position leaving the actuating rod 30 free to rise vertically when the filled cup 13 is removed. However, rod 30 will remain in its down position keeping the arm of switch 8-3 on the terminal 32, as long as the filled cup remains on the support 14.

It will be noted that closing of the contact 51" to the dotted line position has placed power on the lead 55. As shown, this lead 55 extends over to the base of the alarm circuit and thence through lead 68, the Remove cup indicating light 67, and conductors 65 and 63 to the terminal 32. Since this terminal is grounded at 33 by switch arm S2, power will be passed through the indicator 67 to operate this light and inform the customer to Remove cup. This light will remain on until the cup 13 is actually removed.

It will also be noted that the power from lead 55 will pass through the heating coil 58 of the first alarm circuit, lead 57, normally closed contact 59', and lead 63 to the terminal 32 and ground at 33. The heating coil 58 and its associated switch arm 58' constitutes a thermal delay circuit and is adjusted so that the switch 58' will not close until a given period after coil 58 commences heating. This period may be 10 seconds for example. Accordingly, if the customer does not open the door 11 and remove the cup 13 within 10 seconds, the switch 58' will close and complete a circuit through relay coil 59, lead 63 and terminal 32 to ground 33. Relay coil 59 will be energized to close switch 59" and open switch 59. Closing of switch 59" energizes the chime 70 by applying power from lead 46 through lead 69. Opening of the switch 59' opens the circuit through the heating coil 58 and permits this coil to cool. Cooling of the coil will permit the associated thermally operated switch 58 to open and thereby de-energize relay coil 59. De-energization of this coil will permit contact 59 to close and 59 to open. Closing of contact 59 will complete the circuit through lead 57 and start coil 58 heating again, while opening of the contact 59" will remove power from the chime 70. Heating of coil 58 will again operate the switch 58' and the above described cycle will be repeated resulting in the chime being sounded periodically. If the customer still does not open the door 11 and remove the cup, the chime will continue to sound until an attendant is summoned.

Normally, the customer can open the door and remove the cup in a few seconds. Opening of the door 11 will remove the magnet 18 from the field of the magnet 17 whereby the latter magnet is no longer held in position and the biasing spring 22 moves the coupling rod 19 to the left. Movement of rod 19 to the left throws switch arm 8-1 from terminal 21 to the terminal 23. This switching operation connects terminal 23 through conductor 24 to the open terminal 25, and serves to place the second alarm circuit in a position to be energized.

The customer then removes the cup from behind the door 11. When cup 13 is lifted from the cup support 14, the removal of the cup weight results in the counterbalancing weight W dropping downwardly. This action raises the actuating rod 30 in view of the pivoting action of the lever 26 about the pivot point 27. Upward movement of the rod 30 serves to move the arm of switch 8-2 from terminal 32 to terminal 25. Removal of ground 33 from terminal 32 de-energizes the indicator 67 and the light Remove cup is extinguished. Also, the first alarm circuit lead 63 is disconnected from ground 33 and therefore the heating coil 58 is no longer energized. Connecting of the ground 33 to terminal 25 through operation of the switch 8-2, on the other hand, will complete a circuit from the lead 55 (energized from leads 46 and 52 through the contact 51" now in the dotted. line. position) through lead 68, the Close door indicating light 66, leads 65 conductor. 24, to terminal 25 and ground at 33. The indicator 66 will thus be energized. It will also be noted that grounding of the terminal 25 by switch arm S-2 corn letes a. circuit through the second alarm system from. lead 55, upwardly extending lead 69, heating coil 61, normally closed contact 62, and return lead 64 to terminal-23, switch arm S-l, conductor 24, and switch arm S 2 to ground 33. Thus, the moment the cup is removed, theheating coil 58 will be de-energized and the. coil 61 will commence heating. Simultaneously, the Remove .cup indicator 67 will go out and thefClose door indicator will go on. v

The switch 61" associated with the heater coil 61, constitutes a'thermal delay similar to coil 58 and switch Theftime. period for switch 61 to operate may 6 seconds from the time the cup is removed. Otherwise the operation of this second alarm circuit comprising relay. coil 62, and associated contacts 62 and 6221' is. entirely the same as operation of the relay coil 59,.and.associated contacts 59f and 59". The second alarmcircuit, however, employs a buzzer 72 rather than a l chime. 'ndtherefore, if the customer does not close the. doorwithin 5 seconds after the cup is removed, this buzzer, will summon an attendant.

"The door. 11. is normally biased by tension hinges towards a closed position so that during ordinary operation, the door. will close by itself after the cup 13 has been removed. The second alarm system will therefore,

sound only. if the customer or someone else intentionally holds the door open for an appreciable length of time. o i

Ordinarily. it takes no more than a second or two for the. door to close after the cup 13 has been removed.

When door 11 closes, the magnet 18 is brought sufficiently close to the magnet 17 to attract this magnet to the right. andthrow switch 8-1 from terminal '23 to terminal21, that is, to the position shown in Fig. 2. This switching action removes ground 33 from the return lead 64, from the second alarm circuit whereby this alarm circuit is de-energized when the door is closed.

Movement of the switch arm S1 to terminal 21 grounds "the power lead 46 through conductor, 24, teral 25, switch arm.S2. and ground 33 since arm 84 is sun on terminal 25 due to the absence of cup 13. Grounding ofpower lead 46 energizes the series connected relay coil 48 to open its normally closed contact 48.. Opening of contact 48. removes power from lead 46 to relay coil 51. whereby contacts 51 and 51" assume the solid; lineposi'tions shown.

It will be recalled that the cam wheels 38, wand 42 were all previously rotated l80'degrees. anti 3+3 is still in the dotted line position on terminal Thereforepwhencontact 51 returns to its solid line position on terminal lead 53, power is supplied from lead through, lead 52 S3, conductor 44 to the motor M and ground 45. Motor. M is thereby started and will commence rotating the cam wheels 42, 40 and 3, Switch arm S3 will remain on terminal S-fi, however, until cam has completed almost l 8 0 degrees of rotation, after which the arm will move toits solid line position on terminal 56. When switch arm S 3 moves to terminal 56, the power to the motor from terminal 54 is removed, the. motor deenergized and the, cam wheels stopped. Thus, each cam wheel is returned to its original position. Rotation of, the cam wheel 40 serves to lower the latch member into bracket L6, andlock the. door 11 closed. Rotation of the earn 38 lowers, the bar 35 to force the actuating rod 3Q downwardly. by the, projection 34. The switch arm S2 is thereby returned to terminal 32 even though no cup is on thefsupport 1 4, the spring 37 being sufficiently strong toovercome the counterbalancing weight W.

I and 64, terminal 23, switch. arms-1 (now on terminal 23 since the door 11 is open),

Thus, switchcontact 51,'le'ad 53', switch arm The machine is now ready for operation by another customer, thevarious cam wheels, relay contacts, and switches all being in their original positions. Upon subsequent operation of the machine by a customer, anew cup will be dropped onto the support 14and filled with the dispensed product. When this step has been completed a signal in the form of the pulse S willbe sent to the relay coil 50 and the cycle of operation described above repeated. i

It will be understood that while the invention has been described in connection with a beverage dispensing machine, the principles involving the automatic unlocking and locking of the door and the sounding of alarms if the article is not removed and the door is not closed, are applicable to any type of machine or enclosure having a door and an article of given weight behind the door to be dispensed. The invention therefore, is not to be thought of as limited to the particular application chosen for illustrative purposes. i

What is claimed is:

1. In a dispensing machine in which an article having a given weight is disposed within a cabinet behind a door, means for automatically unlocking said door to enable a customer to remove said article in response to operation of the machine by the customer, and for automatically locking said door after said articlehas been removed, said means comprising: latch means for normally securing said door in locked position; actuating means responsive to a signal generated by operation of the machine for opening said latch means to unlock said door; and control means responsive to closing of saidv door after said article has been removed for actuating said actuating means to close said latch means, whereby said door is automatically locked.

2. A machine according to claim 1, in which said actuating means includes cam means for moving said.

latch means to open position in response to said signal and self-terminating means responsive to the position of said cam means for terminating operation of the cam means when said latch means is in open position;'and,'in

which said control means includes: a first switch means adapted to be moved from one position to a'given position in response to closing of said door; a secondswitch means adapted to be moved from one position to a given position in response to removal of said'article from behind 'circuit having delay means: adapted to'be energized'in response to termination of the operation of said cam means when said latchmeans is in' open position, said delay means being connected to operate an alarm in said alarm circuit a given period of time after energization;

and means connecting said delay means to 'said' second switch means, whereby movement of said second switch means from its said one position to its said given position,

upon removal of said article, de-energizes said delay means. i l v 4. A machine according to claim 2, including an alarm circuit having delay means adapted to be energized when said first switch meansis moved-.from its said. given position to its said one position upon opening of said door and said second switch means is moved to its said given position in response to removal of said article; said delay means being connected to operate an alarm in said alarm circuit a given period of time after energization; movement of said first switch means from said one position to said given position, upon closingsaid door, de -energizing said delay means. 7

S. A machine according to claim 2, in which. said first switch means includes a switch arm; magnetic, means coupled to said arm; biasing means urging' said arm to said one position; and a concealed magnet positioned:

in said door, whereby when said door is closed, said concealed magnet is positioned to attract said magnetic means to move said switch arm from said one position to said given position, and when said door is opened, said concealed magnet is removed from the field of said magnetic means to permit said switch arm to return to said one position. i

6 A machine according to claim 2, in which said second switch means includes a switch arm; lever means pivoted to said cabinet; said article having a given weight, resting on one end of said lever; a counterbalancing weight on the other end of said lever; and an actuating rod coupled between said lever and said switch arm wheresaid switch arm from said one position to said given position.

7. A machine according to claim 6, in which said cam means includes a cam wheel and coupling means between said cam wheel and actuating rod, whereby initiation of operation of said cam means will operate said cam wheel and coupling means to move said actuating rod in such direction to return said second switch means from its said given position to its said one position.

No references cited. 

